Several fraternities returning to full function in Spring

The dormant fraternity social scene may spring back to life next semester as several frats will be allowed to hold parties again.

The Delta Tau Delta (DTD) and Delta Upsilon (DU) fraternities, which have been restricted by social probation this semester, will no longer be restricted at the beginning of next semester. Theta Delta Chi (123) will be completing renovations both to their house on Packard Ave. and to their membership.

DTD and DU were under social probation this semester, which allows a rush period and pledge class, but prohibits the fraternity from throwing parties where alcohol is served. DTD's probation was originally set for a full year, but was reduced upon appeal to Judicial Affairs Officer Veronica Carter.

"Based on reviewing the original sanctions, a year was a little bit too stringent," said Director of Greek Life Todd Sullivan.

Sophomore DTD brother Bharat Burman felt the punishment was unfair. "It seemed as if the University was just looking for any excuse to shut down another fraternity," he said.

Inter-Greek Council President and DTD brother junior Joe Mead said the blame was with recent graduates and not the current brothers. "[Last year's] seniors in our house violated a warning and we got punished for that. But the University has lacked creativity when it comes to punishment," he said.

According to Sullivan, probation has "changed their identities." He said both fraternities have found it difficult being under probation because "in the past, they've been used to providing a social outlet" for the student body.

Brothers in these fraternities agree. "I do think that our fraternity has become stronger over the past semester. We are looking forward to next semester though," said junior DU brother Phil Oates.

"The fraternity's always improving. In terms of probation, we've learned an important lesson, and we feel like we've redeemed ourselves after the incident. It has brought all the brothers together," Burman said.

"The house is in the best shape it's been in for the past five to ten years," Mead added.

Sullivan agrees the prohibition period has been positive. "Both of those groups have been involved in Greek leadership positions and major Greek events...They've certainly been present and participating [this semester]," he said.

Sullivan said that both are "preparing to be released [from probation] as of the start of classes." The brothers of DTD will additionally be attending an alcohol education program this weekend. The brothers of DU will additionally be completing community service and meeting with Sullivan to discuss anti-hazing education.

Sullivan stressed that the disciplinary sanctions have not affected the pledge process. "This was not a recruitment restriction," he said.

"We did have a fall pledge class," Oates said. "Our pledge process will be by the book in every sense of the word." DTD also had a fall pledge class of two new brothers.

123 was not in full operation this semester, but it was due to the extensive renovations to their house. Brothers occupied the house throughout the semester, but the fraternity was unable to throw parties due to the work being done.

According to Adam McCready, a representative 123's national headquarters, the renovations are not quite complete and the fraternity is seeking a loan to complete them.

There were also changes occurring within the 123 membership this semester, with a new total of 14 brothers, in addition to a fall pledge class of seven new members. McCready and a group of alumni met with each brother in early September to determine who would remain in the fraternity. At the encouragement of its national association, the fraternity instituted a new pledge process structured to reduce the chances of hazing occurring. The eight brothers who chose not to attend the meetings are no longer 123 members.

"I suspect that those who did not show up made that choice out of apathy," McCready said. "We are very happy with the remaining brothers, however."

Sullivan said it was more a matter of self-selection than anyone getting kicked out of the fraternity. "The guys who chose not to show up for their interviews chose to no longer be members," he said.

McCready called 123's progress this semester a "great turnaround." He even mentioned that of all the active Theta Delta Chi charges are in the running for the organization's "Most Improved Charge" award.

"As a group, they are operating a lot better," McCready said. "They are more organized and are doing things better internally."

All three of these fraternities owed money to the town of Somerville at the start of this semester. According to Sullivan, this "was a bigger issue last summer...it isn't really a problem anymore."

"They all worked out payment plans to get back in good standing with Somerville," Sullivan said.

Many students said they were excited about the return of fraternities, as they have voiced complaints this year about the social scene on campus. "Thank God, I say. As long as the police refrain from shutting all the parties down at 11:00p.m. like they have been, next semester's party scene will improve infinitely," sophomore AJ Carr said.

Fraternity members are eager to show their new attitude to the community. "We want to make a strong and positive comeback and show the freshmen class what they've been missing," Burman said. "We're going to be more careful, we've learned our lesson. We just want to make sure everyone will have a fun time."

"We're going to have a lot of parties at the beginning of the semester. We want to meet new people, make up for lost time," Mead said.

"Obviously no one on campus was particularly thrilled with how this semester has gone. I feel like this campus can be a lot more fun than it was this semester," said Oates.

Dean of Students Bruce Reitman pointed out that only three of Tufts' 11 fraternities were on probation, including Zeta Psi, which is closed for the 2003-2004 academic year. "With three of them down, you still have eight - they still work," he said.

Not everyone is impressed with the fraternities' "turnaround." Sophomore Telly Kousakis said, "Frats are frats - I don't think that one semester of probation is really going to change anything."